Postal box.



C. FORTH.

POSTAL BOX.

APPLICATYON FILED Aue.27. x915.

13,240,190, PatntedSept. 18,1917.

rinrrnn enemas CHARLES FORTH, 0F Q'JETAWA, GN'EARIO, CANADA.

POSTAL BOX.

amina Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. is, rem.

Application filed August 27, 1915. Serial No. $7,568.

To alt whom it may concern Be it known that I, CrrARLEs FORTH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ottawa, in the Province of Ontario, and Do minion of Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Postal Boxes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing This invention relates to postal boxes designed more particularly for use in public thoroughfares, rural districts, etc., the object of the invention being to so support the box that it may be shifted to different positions relatively to its support, in order to facilitate the deposit and collection of the mail matter, while at the same time the box will be so confined on its support that it cannot be readily removed therefrom.

With these ends in view, my invention consists broadly in the combination with a suitable standard, of a postal box rotatably supported thereby and confining means for retaining the box rotatably on the standard, said confining means being inaccessible from the outside;

The invention consists also in the combination with a suitable supporting standard, of an annular member fastened to and depending from the under side of the box, the said annular member and standard being formed relatively to permit the annular member, and attached box, to be rotated about an upright axis, fastening means being provided for confining the annular member rotatably on the standard, which fastening means is situated within the annular member so as to be inaccessible from the outside.

Also my invention consists in so forming the annular member and SUPPOftlDg standard relatively, that they are adapted to be interlocked with each other in different predetermined positions in the direction of rotation, in order to hold the box in such positions, the fastening means being located within the annular member so as to be inaccessible, and being of such form that while securing the parts together, it will permit of the axial movement of the annular member relatively to the standard in shifting the box from one predetermined position to another. 7

The invention consists also in the details of construction and combustion of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a postal box having my invention applied thereto, a portion of the box being broken away to better illustrate the supporting device for the same. i

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the supporting device, on an enlarged scale, with the box removed therefrom.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional elevation of the same with the bottom of the box attached, taken onthe line aa of Fig. 2.

F is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the socket member removed rrom the box.

Fig. 5 is a similar view of the upper end of the supporting standard, which gives rotary support to the socket member.

Referring to the drawings:

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, 1 represents a postal box which may be of any suitable and appropriate form and construction. ln-the present instanceit is shown especially adapted for use on rural routes, the said box containing a compartment 2 with a receiving slot in which the mail matter is posted by the residents, and from which it is removed by the postman by a door 2 and a larger compartment 8 to receive the matter delivered by the postman, the latter compartment being closed by a suitable door l.

This box is suitably supported on the upper end of a standard 5 in such manner that the box may be rotated thereon about an upright axis, the purpose of this construc tion being to enable the box to be shifted to different positions, so that the postman may more conveniently depositthe mail in one end of the box for delivery to the residents, and take'from the other end of the box the mail deposited by the residents for posting.

To support the box in this manner, I firmly fasten to the under side of the box, by suitable fastening devices in the form of screws or rivets 6, a bracket plate 7 formed at its center with a depending annularsleeve 8, constituting a socket member. Within the sleeve at the center thereof, is a bracket 9 containing a central opening 10*, which bracket is connected to the inner lower ends of arms 10 connected at their upper ends to the upper end of the sleeve, the said arms extending downwardly from the upper end of the sleeve so as to sustain the bracket some distance below said end. Within the sleeve at its upper end, are a number of de standard 5, which latter is provided with an annular track 12 containing at intervals therein, depressions 13 corresponding in form to the lugs 11. Projecting upwardly from the standard within the annular track, is a stud 14: provided on its upper end with a reduced neck 15. The socket member in the assemblage of the parts is seated over the upper end of the standard, with. the bracket 9 loosely surrounding the stud 14., and with the depending lugs 11 entering the depressions 13 in the track on the standard, the parts being rotatably fastened together by means of ahead or stop 16 on the upper end of the stud, consisting in the present instance of a Washer 16 surrounding the reduced neck=on the stud, and confined thereon by heading down the end of the stud as at 17 (Fig. 3). With the parts assembled and held together in this manner, the engagement of the lugs 11 in the depressions 13 will hold the box releasably in predetermined positions, while the socket member will be permitted to be rotated about the axis of the stud to shift the box to different positions as controlled by the interlocking lugs and depressions. In the present instance the lugs and depressions are spaced. 90 apart, so. as to, provide for the shifting of the box successively to four different positions, it being necessary in changing from one position to another to move the socket member axially of the stud in order to disengage the lugs from one set of depressions, and to reengage them with the next, the bracket 9 in such axial move ments moving upwardly on the stud 14, and being limited in this movement by the head 16 thereon.

It will be observed from the construction described, that the head on the stud, cooperating with the central bracket 9 on the socket member, serves to confine the socket member rotatably on the standard, and as this confining means is situated within the socket member, it is not accessible from the outside, and therefore the removal of the box from the standard by unauthorized per sons is effectually prevented. To more effectually provide against such contingency, the fastening devices 6, by means of which the plate 7 is fastened to the under side of the box, are applied from inside of the box, so that these fastening devices also are inaccessible from the outside.

The parts are assembled in their operative relations, first by seating the socket member over the upper end of the standard and securing them together by heading down the upper end of the stud to confine the washer thereon. The plate 7, carrying The socket member is applied to the upper end of the.

the socket member, is then seated against the under side of the bottom of the box, and the fastening devices 6 are applied from the inside of the box, to firmly fasten the plate thereto. The device is now ready to beset in position at the roadside or other place for use.

In the accompanying drawings and foregoing description I have disclosed my invention in the particular form I prefer to adopt. It will be manifest, however, that the details may be variously changed and modified by the skilled mechanic, without departing from the limits of the invention,

side for confining the same and connected box rotatably on the standard.

2. In combination with a standard provided with an upwardly extending stud, a

postal box, an annular depending member fastened to the under side of the box and rotatably supported by the standard, said member being provided with a portioninclosed by said member and loosely surround ing the stud, and a head on the studto hold the parts together, said head being inac cessible from the outside.

3. In combination with a standard provided with a vertical stud, a postal box, a

depending socket member fastened to the under side of the box and provided with an internal bracket inclosed thereby, said socket member being rotatably mounted on the standard, with the bracket loosely surrounding the stud, and a head on the stud to confine the bracket thereon, said head being inclosed by the socket member and being inaccessible from the outside.

1. In combination with a standard, a postal box, an annular depending member fastened to the under side'of the box and rotatably supported on the standard and movable axially thereof in shifting the box around. to different predetermined positions, and fastening means situated within the annular member to, confine the same rotatably on the standard, said fastening means being constructed to limit the axial movement of the member and being inaccessible from the outside.

5. In combination with a standard provided with an annular track having depressions therein, a postal box, adepending annular member fastened to the under side of the box and rotatably supported by the standard to move axially thereof, said member being provided with downwardly extending lugs to enter the depressions in the track, whereby by the axial movementof the box, the lugs may be engaged with the different depressions in shifting the box around to different predetermined positions, and means situated within the annular member for limiting the axial movements of the same, said means acting to confine the annularmember rotatably on the standard and being inaccessible from the outside.

6. In combination with a standard provided with a vertical stud and with a surrounding annular track, a postal box, a socket member fastened to the under side of the box, and rotatably supported by the track so that it may shift axially, said parts being formed relatively to be interlocked in different predetermined positions in the direction of rotation, said socket member being provided with an internal bracket loosely surrounding the stud, and a head on the stud to limit the axial movement of the parts.

7. In combination with a standard provided with a vertical stud and with an annular track surrounding the same, said track being formed with depressions, a postal box, a socket member fastened to the under side of the box and provided with a bracket loosely surrounding the vertical stud, and provided also with lugs to enter the depressions in the track, said socket member bein rotatable about and movable axially of the stud, and a stop on the stud to limit the axial movement of the parts.

In testimony whereof, I have aflixed my signature.

CHARLES FORTH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

